Muhammad - A new apostle - Not to be questioned

This is a continuation of a multi-post article. You can read the first post here and the previous post here. This is also part of a larger series called "The Koran from a Christian perspective." You can find other posts in this series here.

Muhammad believed himself to be the undoubtable and unquestionable oracle of God. He believed his words were the exact recitations, word for word, of the message he received from Gabriel, the angel of God. If one were to doubt him then there remained for them no other oracle, no other prophet, and no other guidance from God.

"How should they have the Reminder [but how did the warning avail them], seeing a clear Messenger [undoubted apostle] already came to them, then they turned away from him and said, 'A man tutored [taught by others], possessed!'" (Koran 44:12-13)

Muhammad demands that he be respected and believed just like Moses was before the people of Israel. He sees himself as the leader of the Arab people and one to be followed without question or challenge.

"Or do you desire to question your Messenger [apostle] as Moses was questioned in former time? Whoso exchanges belief for unbelief has surely strayed from the right way." (Koran 2:102)

Muhammad is obviously referring back to the times when the people of Israel challenged Moses' authority and God's appointment of him to guide and lead the nation of Israel. However, in those cases, God demonstrated His selection of Moses as their leader and prophet with signs and wonders. For example, on one occasion when Korah, a Levite, rebelled against Moses, along with several others with him, God responded and confirmed His selection of Moses with a clear sign.

"As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly." (Numbers 16:31-33)

However, Muhammad never offers us any sign, or proofs, of his ministry or his appointment by God; nothing other than his own words which he claims to be prophesy. To the people he leads, Muhammad believes himself to be the pinnacle of all authority, knowledge, and judgment.

"It is not for any believer, man or woman, when God and His Messenger [Apostle] have decreed a matter, to have the [any] choice in the [their] affair. Whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger [Apostle] has gone astray into manifest [palpable] error." (Koran 33:36)

Muhammad, and the Koran, inserts themselves between the believer and God; removing from the believer free will and the right to make their own choices as regards their lives. It demeans people by removing their right and privilege to live their own life before God; making their own determination as to what God wills for them and making their own decisions as to how they will obey that will in their lives. John, the Apostle, taught us that, "As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things." (1 John 2:27) However, Muhammad would usurp the ministry and guidance of the Holy Spirit within us and make us once again dependent upon a mere man for our guidance, teaching, and instruction. He would have us look to him where we ought to only look to God and to His Spirit within us.

More to come...
David Robison